It is several months after the events in The Slayers and only Lina & Gourry are left of the original party. Arriving in the kingdom of Xoana, the duo soon run into Amelia & Zelgadis who are there for different reasons, but soon rejoin the party. Now they, with some new allies must fight some more intimidating foes. Intertwining mystical plots intersect in an explosive way, when Lina and her band of misfits becomes involved. Why are members of the Mazoku (monster race) so interested in Lina?
[26 TV episodes. Series was originally licensed by CPM but the license has now been acquired by FUNimation. It will have no improved subtitles and no fixes in the dub using the original VA's as FUNimation (for whatever reason) simply re-released what CPM.]
[edit] The ↗Slayers franchise time line:

It is several months after the events in The Slayers and only Lina & Gourry are left of the original party. Arriving in the kingdom of Xoana, the duo soon run into Amelia & Zelgadis who are there for different reasons, but soon rejoin the party. Now they, with some new allies must fight some more intimidating foes. Intertwining mystical plots intersect in an explosive way, when Lina and her band of misfits becomes involved. Why are members of the Mazoku (monster race) so interested in Lina?
[26 TV episodes. Series was originally licensed by CPM but the license has now been acquired by FUNimation. It will have no improved subtitles and no fixes in the dub using the original VA's as FUNimation (for whatever reason) simply re-released what CPM.]
[edit] The ↗Slayers franchise time line:

Slayers Next continues the fun I got out of the the first season with its mix of action and comedy. The antics in this season are a little more over-the-top at points than the last season with episodes devoted to things such as a crazy magical version of tennis, going through enough for food made from dragons and another cross-dressing episode with Gourry. The show still takes jabs at poking fun of its genre with Lina still well aware at points the kind of world she is in. This season is a little more darker and serious than the last season as details are unveiled regarding the true nature of Lina's strongest magic and Lina's journey for finding Claire Bible manuscripts leads her to cross paths with Mazoku desiring her demise. Xellos also made for a fun new character who contributes well to both the comical and serious moments of the show with his mischievous personality.

There are some things I do have to nitpick over. As Dreamer points out, the visuals to the show haven't changed too much from the original series. I noticed that color was less drab than the original series, but it looks no different from the first season. In addition, I really hated the addition of Martina as this season's resident comic relief character as her presence really killed the mood during the show's serious moments, especially in the show's later episodes and her stuck-up attitude and worthlessness in contributing to Lina's journey had me desiring her to be gone.

Beyond these issues, I got more enjoyment out of this season of Slayers than I did of the original series. I look forward to continuing to see more from the Slayers franchise.

Last updated Monday, January 03 2011. Created Monday, January 03 2011.

Slayers Next
Having seen the first installment (Slayers), I had to pick this one up. I knew this would be another good one just by looking at the previews and other comments.

Art, Animation and Character Design
The art and animation hasn't improved from the original.... afterall, this was produced only a year later. The character designs are the same as well.

Music
The music has been improved but not by much.

Episode and Series Stories
Wow again! I didn't think the original Slayers could be topped but here it is, it's been topped by the sequel. And better, all your favorite characters are back! In this round of 26 episodes, we have even more laughs and silly antics however, this series is a bit more serious and "darker". The plot is much more refined and as it concludes, you will soon realize that it ties in nicely with the first series and wraps things up neatly.

Overall, a MUST buy once again. If you haven't seen the first series, watch that first before coming onboard here.

Last updated Monday, February 16 2009. Created Monday, February 16 2009.

Slayers Next
This show has gotten extremely strong ratings here, but just a word of warning: If you're like me and prefer the comedy element over the fantasy and action, this isn't the funniest show out there; Dragon Half would have to be the best comedy/fantasy series I've seen yet. To be honest, I never really got into the story here. After watching the first few episodes I wasn't in a particular hurry for more, and my rented DVDs may have sat around for so long that I could've bought my own set with the rental fees I paid. I never really felt that Lina and her gang were in any particular danger, so this was neither funny enough to be a first-rate comedy nor gripping enough to be a first-rate fantasy. Not that it's bad by any means--a show which manages to do a credible job with two genres is not to be scoffed at. Whether this Xellos guy could be trusted was a question that was with me most of the way through, as was the location of Sylphiel--she's clearly in the OP sequence but doesn't show up 'til near the end. I couldn't help feeling sorry for Martina throughout the show, and was glad to see an old supporting character from the first series reappear. The series ends well, with a conclusion that is both touching and funny. The Central Park DVDs have an annoying menu to them; not only do they lack the usual stops halfway through episodes, but just specifying that you want the subtitled version automatically starts episode one playing, whether that's the one you wanted or not. I hope Funimation corrects these problems.

Slayers Next
Drama : Med
Comedy : High
Action : High
SciFi : High
Ecchi : Low
This is turning out so much better than the original Slayers. I like the whole premise that the Monsters want to kill Lina and why. A few filler episodes but not as many as the original. Add a new character Xellos and Martina and you have the new cast.

I'm sorta mad that Sylphiel isn't in it. I miss her :)

Edit : Little did I know Sylphie shows up in episode 21! She then becomes the #2 star as Gourry is ..indisposed..

Finished this, and I still hold true, it's much better than the original Slayers and it didn't have to use clones! On to Slayers Try!

I hope Funi fixes the menu. The one from CMP that I have doesn't stop at eyecatches and only has one chapter for each episode! Those eyecatches are great especially when they end with Gourry and Zelgadis and the picture breaks in HALF! Hehe

Slayers Next
I like Slayers because it's only semi serious. Some things felt a little drawn out by the end, but it was pretty good. Martina was really obnoxious, so I tend to not watch this anime very often (I didn't like Zellos either).

Last updated Monday, December 01 2003. Created Monday, December 01 2003.

Picking up where Slayers left off, the core 4 under Lina's leadership soon re-hookup. Lina's on a hunt for magical books to make her more powerful. Since Zelgadis is looking for the "Claire Bible", Lina figures to check it out for herself. However, members of the Mazoku are very interested in Lina, thus giving Lina some serious challenges.

Joining the cast this time are Martina & Xellos. Martina is a spoiled princess who's kingdom (Xoana) Lina takes down early on. As a result, Martina is determined to get even through the power of her made-up monster Zoamelgustar. As Lina points out in the final episode, Martina was there as comic relief in the series which explains why she dogs Lina at every turn. Xellos is a mysterious and powerful priest who also isn't part of the party but is always around to guide them. Also returning in the final few episodes are the miko Sylphiel and the fighter Zangulus.

The humor of the first series is still here and they even managed to work in a good treasure joke! As other reviewers have mentioned, this series takes its storyline more seriously than Slayers did. As a result, the story is more intense. And speaking of story, like last time, it is broken down into three parts: the table-setting story (first 1/3 of the series), filler (2nd third of the series), and final story linking with the first story as well as tying it nicely with the first series. The filler episodes are pure filler with no advancement on story or characters, but they are fun nonetheless.

As for the DVD, my standard gripe about honorifics in the subtitles is there. I disagree with Software Sculptor's decision to translate the name of the evil powerful race (Mazoku) to "monster race". There are monsters and there are Mazoku. They are VERY different. Thus the term "monster race" doesn't clear things up, but rather adds to the confusion, especially since there are regular monsters running about.

Bottom line: This is one of those series that the English version just can't beat the Japanese version. Funny, character development, good writing, and great seiyuu acting make Slayers Next and even better series.

Slayers NextSlayers Next is a great followup to Slayers. The plot is a bit more serious, but it is still very funny. The plot is better than the first series with more good comical episodes and even better battles with improved animation to boot. The best of The Slayers series Slayers Next is a must have.

Slayers Next
It follows the tradition (Hilariousness) of the previous Slayers series but with more "serious" episodes. It's said to be the best series among Slayers original, Slayers Next, and Slayers try in Japan, and I agree with it. The power of bosses goes beyond imagination. The best scene is when the "Golden Boss" incarnate on Lina's body and then destroys the God of Hell without a gasp---gee, it's just incredible and frighting!!! Also Next is the only series including a kiss scene of Lina :) A little bit of LOVE.
The magic is great as usual. And Lina is as vigorous as usual.

Last updated Friday, January 03 2003. Created Friday, January 03 2003.

Slayers Next
This series, like the last one, is funny. To me, the plot is much better than the first one. However, the ending leaves you waiting for the next one to come out. A must buy for slayers fans!!

Last updated Friday, January 03 2003. Created Friday, January 03 2003.

Slayers Next
I love this anime!!! It is full of action and DRAGON SLAYS!! This serious takes over from the last and also takes the plot a little deeper....well a lot deeper. Its still Leana and the rest the gang, back to there old tricks and oh ya saving the world!!!! hehehe.

Slayers Next
Like so many others have said this is even better then the first Slayers.
In Slayers Next we finally get a story that starts at the begining insted of half way though. But one of my favorite parts about the seires is Xellos. This guy is so cool. But only in Japanese. In english (like most anime) it sucks.
This is one you really have to watch in Japanese folks. But either way you have to see it. (After all you need to watch this to see Slayers Try. The best in the series.)

Last updated Thursday, January 04 2001. Created Thursday, January 04 2001.

Slayers Next
They had a tough chore to do in this sieries in my opinion, but they exceeded all expectations this has been the best slayers so far and I'am a huge fan of the origional series. Lena and Gourie have a chance to really show there feelings a little in this one and you get a much better feel for all of the characters. This series just keeps getting better they have a great chemestry here and a genuis wrighter who knows how to keep it flowing. I actually got to where I sat down and felt as if i was visiting friends there that much fun.

Last updated Friday, September 22 2000. Created Friday, September 22 2000.

Slayers Next
Just when you don't think it can get better IT DOES!!!!!!!!!! This was even better then the first Slayers! I loved it! It was funny, and sweet! And you grow to love the charaters more and more! I would go on into how great the plot was but I don't want to spoll anything! I couldn't stop watching it in fact it was so good I watched the hole series in one day! It had the same kind of bad stuff as the first series did, but that is not much! Once agian the only thing that really bothered me at all was the magic! This series you just have to buy, especially if you are a slayers fan!

Last updated Tuesday, January 08 2002. Created Monday, September 11 2000.

Slayers Next
I also loved this series! Again, laughing until my sides hurt. I liked this series better than any of the others. Xellos just made the whole more fun to watch! So, if you like the first season of Slayers, I suggest you to watch this also!

Last updated Thursday, August 31 2000. Created Thursday, August 31 2000.

Slayers Next
Personally, I regard the first Slayers series as superior to all the rest, and it made a huge impact on me the first time I saw it. I also purchased the manga corresponding to that series, and additionally borrowed some of the novels from a friend of mine and read them.
It comes as something of a disappointment to me what Slayers NEXT turned out to be. The one-shot comedy episodes more or less entertained, as awkward, wacky comedy that is so intrinsic to the Slayers machine, but the overall more serious storylines lacked a certain something, and the character of Xelloss only functioned as an irritant after too few episodes. The manga/novel Xelloss turned up much less and proved much less annoying.
The final story arc in NEXT is nothing more than an inexplicable retelling of the original series' ending, and while the writer of Slayers is most certainly not a romantic writer in the least, he attempts to summarily subject us to a supremely contrived and unprecedented attraction, something I found insulting in the extreme.
However, Sylpheel's curious inclusion allowed for her to shine, at least temporarily, and the strange, almost Naga-esque (or perhaps with time and development) character Martina certainly made the storyline much nicer and more amusing, more like the Lina-Naga adventures.
Unfortunately it hardly makes up for the drop in quality of the storylines. The animation, admittedly, is much improved over the thrifty first series, but while it makes strides in aesthetics, it falls dreadfully short in plot.
Try the manga...it's superior in many ways. However, you should at least view the more silly episodes of NEXT, because the situations the group gets into are truly hilarious, and Martina's spotlight episodes usually are exceptional as well.
Watch it...but don't waste your money on it until you're sure that you want it. The themes are incredible, the animation is great, and most of the comedy episodes are hilarious. As for the underlying story...it's not so hot. Or at least, in my opinion. Perhaps borrow it from a friend or rent it and watch it, but with anime prices being what they are, don't blow your money on it.

Slayers Next
The story for Slayers finally starts in Next. The four major characters are introduced and there is time to develop them. Animation is vastly improved from Slayers. Over all their is less fluff and more story episodes. I think that Next is much funnier then Slayers. Even if you have not seen the first series, you can enjoy Next. If you are looking for a good show that is funny and has a cool story, watch Slayers Next.